SEVENDUST/CALL ME NO ONE's CLINT LOWERY: 'I'm Gonna Do Whatever It Takes In Music To Survive'

CALL ME NO ONE — the new project featuring SEVENDUST drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist Clint Lowery — will release its debut album, "Last Parade", on June 5. The CD's first single, "Biggest Fan", was made available to purchase on iTunes on April 24.

CALL ME NO ONE's lineup is rounded out by bassist Rek Mohr (HURT) and guitarist Alan Price (SOULS HARBOR, SHINEDOWN).

In a new posting on his official blog, Lowery writes, "[I am] sitting at home on my couch with the wife two days away from releasing the CALL ME NO ONE project.

"Been a long process getting this thing to happen. I believe the real work began after the actual record was recorded. The business end of music sucks the joy out of it sometimes. It becomes very cold and heartless after the recording process. All the excitement and creative thinking that goes on, the building of the songs, debating on what's gonna be the better part, overcoming fear of being able to beat your last effort. It's an emotional roller coaster for me, but all good. Then the process begins with release — the 'business people' take your music like a child out of your arms and have little to no emotional attachment; tell you which song should be released; what they don't like about or kinda like about this. There are some who give it praise one week and the next week not able to get them on the phone.

"We had a entire different management change right after the record was completed, which confused a lot of issues and switched up the game plan a few times. But regardless of what you have going on, there's some type of battle with 'the label' about the over all presentation of the record. How we want to deliver this to people, when we do, it's all a very intense game that everyone involved has all the answers but when it comes time for the answers to be gived, they're not around or they forget their idea or answers. I wouldn't have it any other way, though; I'm so used to it. There are are a few people who make the process enjoyable. The artwork, some of the label folk really get what it is you're trying to do, some teach me things I wasn't aware of and present great ideas and strategies. It's good, bad and, for sure, the ugly. The MONEY is always an issue. The amount people get from the record sales, the commissions, the 'hands in the pot' and — my favorite expression in the industry — 'this is industry standard,' when talking about their cut. It's funny to me.

"We have a good team I think behind this. Do I think they care about it as much as I do? Not even close. But I do believe in one thing: people's drive to make money. I don't trust many things in the music business, but I trust that people in this business want money and power. If your band is in the pipeline of that, you can also gain something.

"We all have different things that drive us; mine used to be money and fame. Now it's security, support and longevity. I want to make music and sell enough of it to survive, I want to be able to support my family doing what I love. I want to make honest music and grow as a musician. I don't really care about selling a bunch of records; I'd much rather people come to a show and connect that way. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want a ton of people to like it, because that's what I do it for. To do what so many other bands have done for me: provide an escape. A tunnel out of real life into some better mindset than I live in daily. I love being in a situation like the airport or DMV and putting earbuds in and listening to something that changes the environment completely. That's the goal.

"The best part, by far, of the record process is this time now, the few days before it comes out and the day it does. Finally sharing it with people who support what you do, hearing the good and bad about the music, lyrics and artwork. The people are so different in what they like or don't like. It's what it's all about.

"I care about what people at labels say because some of them are the vessels to get it to the people so I have to work with them and respect some of them in what they do. But if I could simply hand deliver each record to people and skip the process, I would. But on most records I've been a part of, I rely on that machine. Which can be great, or dilute the whole product I'm making.

"I can't wait to hear what people think about CALL ME NO ONE — Morgan and I worked hard on it, had a forth of the resources most bands have and a great creative team around us. I had the support of my family and friends and other bands and colleagues. I learned a lot about singing and can't wait to get out there and try this live. We pulled in Alan Price and Rek Mohr to play this stuff live with us and love these guys. Great players and positive cats, for sure.

"Will I be able to work a crowd, keep my voice, sing things right and good?? Who knows? I will find out shortly. I say this, though: I will give it the best I have and I have faith that we will be a great live band. I wanna make a statement for the under dog. The anti-rock star, the common man's rock band. Be honest with the crowd instead of saying things like, 'This is our favorite town ever' — unless it is.

"I just lost my father, Willie Lowery — the reason I do this in the first place. He played music his whole life, believed he was gonna make it to the next level his whole life. I watched him play his guitar in an assisted-living home as if he was playing to a sold-out crowd in a stadium. He never lost hope; he was on the sunset of his life and believed in music — it never abandoned him and he never stopped playing it.

"When I think about doing something else or getting jaded or bitter at this business, I think of him. He would have chewed this business' ass up if he could have. It certainly did a number on him. He never let the fact that he didn't break into the big time stop him from loving it all the same. It's what he did.

"I lost my dad, but I gained my drive back.

"I'm gonna do whatever it takes in music to survive — to provide for my family and help other bands achieve it. Period. He did it 'till the end, and so will I.

"I dedicate this record to him, my wife and son and to God for giving me life, love and music.

"I love whoever is reading this — yep, I said it. hope peace surrounds you and love finds you.

"God bless.

"P.S.: Go check out the record Tuesday — I promise you the people who made it will truly appreciate it."

"Last Parade" (song) audio stream:

"Biggest Fan" audio stream: